You've shortlisted

Shortlist

✖

County Meath

County Meath is a place rich in history and culture, horse racing and witchcraft; Ireland''s ''Royal County''. For accommodation see our collection of cottages in County Meath.

The second largest of Leinster''s counties, Meath has a rich and interesting history, where locals affectionately refer to it as the ''Royal County'', due to it once being the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

If castles are your thing then County Meath has some of the best that the Emerald Isle has to offer. The country''s largest Norman castle is situated at Trim, and film buffs may even recognise it as one of the settings for the film, Braveheart. Others include Slane Castle, most notable for its outdoor concerts from the likes of U2, Bon Jovi and Madonna, and Dunsany Castle and Dangan Castle, are also worth checking out.

Religious ruins and sites of historical significance can be found all over the county, with treasures such as The Hill of Tara, the ancient ruins of Teltown and the round tower at Kells. Newgrange dates back to 3000BC. The passage tombs at Bru na Boinne are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, where they are thought to be around 500 years older than the Pyramids of Egypt.

Spooky goings on can be found at the Hill of the Ward, site of the festival of Halloween and Loughcrew Cairns dubbed the Mountain of the Sorceress, named after a witch who had designs to become mistress of all Ireland!

Kells is home to Ireland''s only inland lighthouse but the county does have its own beautiful stretch of coastline, even if it’s only 12km long. Here you’ll find Laytown Beach, with the only officially approved beach horse racing in Europe.

County Meath is also a beautiful destination for those who enjoy the outdoors life. It has a varied terrain and a gentle pace of life. The rich pastures throughout the Boyne and Blackwater River Valleys and the Drumlin Hills to the north of the region offer the visitor a varied landscape to explore.

To start planning your trip take a look at our selection of holiday cottages in County Meath that will provide the ideal base for your cottage holiday in Ireland.